Stevenage fell to defeat at home to Leyton Orient on Saturday as two quick-fire goals from the O’s in the second half proved the difference in the game…
After a strong first half in which Boro played on the front-foot and looking dangerous, the team’s confidence was knocked after a mistake led to the opener, before a second was added soon after.
Alex Revell made three changes to the side that lost against Leyton Orient on Tuesday, with Ross Marshall, Arthur Read and Elliott List coming in to replace Luke Prosser, Romain Vincelot and Aramide Oteh. Charlie Carter also returned to the bench after picking up an ankle injury against Portsmouth in August during Carabao Cup action.
Stevenage began with intent from the first minute, charging Leyton Orient down from kick off with Elliott List intercepting a lazy pass before darting into the box, crossing just behind Danny Newton.
Leyton Orient had an attempt on 10 minutes after nice passing play from the visitors ended with a low driven shot from ex-Boro man, Jobi McAnuff which Jamie Cumming had covered.
Stevenage had a chance of their own a minute later as Elliot Osborne received a long ball in the penalty area which he controlled but opted not to shoot, instead shifting a pass across goal which was intercepted by Dan Happe.
Stevenage continued to play on the attack as a long range Jack Aitchison strike had to be tipped aside by Orient keeper, Lawrence Vigouroux.
Another chance came Boro’s way after 20 minutes as Aitchison delivered a free kick which Scott Cuthbert headed down for Newton, who struck the ball into the gloves of an outstretched Vigouroux.
Minutes later, Conor Wilkinson saw a wicked shot glide just wide of the post in a game already filled with chances for both sides.
On 30 minutes, Stevenage had a free kick just outside the penalty area which Ben Coker struck into the wall, only for Arthur Read to react and unleash a fierce strike that was saved well by Vigouroux.
A series of corners for the visitors produced the half’s final chance, as Elliott List’s miskicked clearance dropped to Josh Coulson, who shot tamely into the arms of Cumming. Overall, it was one of Stevenage's best halves of football this season, just that vital goal missing for Alex Revell's side.
Boro started the second half quickly, troubling Orient with a string of fast attacks and Elliot List broke away from his man, driving an effort towards the near post that had to be saved by Vigouroux.
Orient found space on the counter attack as the ball was shifted across by Wilkinson to substitute Jordan Maguire-Drew, who beat his man before cutting in and striking into Cumming, who did just enough to prevent the winger from breaking the deadlock.
Stevenage applied the pressure, but it was the visitors who took the lead on 63 minutes after a loose back pass from Luther James-Wildin was seized upon by Danny Johnson who passed across to Maguire-Drew, who slotted home calmly.
Orient doubled their lead three minutes later, after a quick passing move was finished off by an alert Wilkinson, doing just about enough to score past Cumming.
Orient searched for a third, this time with Wilkinson curling an effort towards goal from outside the box which was tipped away by Cumming.
Stevenage persisted to look for a way back into the game, as Aitchison was twice denied by Vigoroux during the closing stages of the game, but the search for goals and wins continued for Boro, as Orient left Hertfordshire with all three points.